Leading a horse on a main road

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Littlefreddiebiscuit

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For anyone interested or who has to run the gauntlet of a main road with their horse I had an illuminating conversation with the police today.
I have to lead my TB about 8 yards up a fast main road to get to the outdoor school I use and part of this can be done on the grass verge so about 4 yards of actual road. Getting there is not an issue as I am moving with the traffic but coming back is a different exercise altogether and I have the choice of crossing main road, walking the 8 yards with the traffic and then crossing back over. Thus I decided that in spite of having full insurance I would be safer, the horse would be safer and motorists safer if I walked with the horse on my right on the verge as far as possible and then the last few yards facing the traffic; although I do try and make a dash for it when the road is clear on my side. The other day a "gentleman" decided that he would stop in the road wind down the window and shout abuse at me. I smiled, thanked him for stopping but respectfully informed him that he might be putting himself and other roads users in danger by stopping in middle of road and then a shuffled off and left him to it. I did give it some thought though and phoned the police to seek advice and this is what I was told. The main concern with horses is that neither the horse or rider should be put in danger nor other road users and that to cross a busy main road twice in such a short distance could well do this very thing. Therefore, leading the horse on the inside off road as far as possible but the short remainder on road facing traffic where both the horse and I can see what is coming would be deemed safe and sensible and would be very unlikely to invite caution or prosecution. Now this is not saying that is couldn't happen but riding on pavements is not allowed; although the police tend to turn a blind eye because it is safer than on road, but I suspect that most of us have done it at some point. I thought I would share this information as it might be helpful to anyone else in a similar dilemma I would emphasise though that this is leading NOT riding.
 
I'm a bit confused lol.
When hacking on roads you ride with the traffic, which is safe enough, so why would leading a horse make it any different?

Also, I thought that when leading a horse on road the person is always walking nearest road with horse on outside, is that not common practice? I've always walked between car and horse when on roads.

Sorry, just trying to make it clear in my head :)
 
because the OP has an arena on the same side of the road as her.
which to come back from if doing so on the proper side, she would cross the road, go the 8 yards, and then cross the road again to get back to her house. Or walk 8 yards technically in the 'wrong' direction. Leading the horse gives her the opportunity to put herself between horse and traffic rather than 'riding into traffic'.
I would carry on as you are OP :)
 
Don't know whether it's still the case but when a hunter groom in Gloucestershire, we always rode on the right side of the road even when riding and leading, everyone rode facing the traffic and it felt much safer; after all, you're told to walk facing the traffic as a pedestrian and a horse is a pedestrian . TBH, I felt much safer that way than the current trend of back to traffic especially with a young horse and it enabled drivers to see you acknowledge them which they can't see today because they're facing away from you.
 
ester said:
because the OP has an arena on the same side of the road as her.
which to come back from if doing so on the proper side, she would cross the road, go the 8 yards, and then cross the road again to get back to her house. Or walk 8 yards technically in the 'wrong' direction. Leading the horse gives her the opportunity to put herself between horse and traffic rather than 'riding into traffic'.
I would carry on as you are OP :)
Click to expand...

Ah, understand now, thanks :)
 
I don't know if OP means old person LOL Indeed I am I must confess but at the same time say I am way to young to be this old !!

Maesfen you are absolutely right, it did used to be thought safest to ride into the traffic rather than with your back to it, for the purpose of both rider and horse being able to see what was approaching. I think because there is so much more traffic and horses seem not to have an automatic right of way; judging from how some drivers behave toward them, I got the impression from the policeman I spoke to that it was leading not riding. In an ideal world I would have every bit of equipment and facilities at home as I daresay would you all, alas this is not the case though I am fortunate with hacking and can avoid main roads. Equally I am also fortunate that my horses will lead from both sides so I am able to put myself between them and the traffic. As an aside, a lorry came along today despite my best efforts to avoid all traffic so as I had reached a bit if verge me and the boy hopped up onto it so lorry could pass. TB flinched a bit but not nearly as much as when the lorry driver "gently" tooted his horn to say thank you (duh)
 
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